The moment is optimal to alter Manchester United's system - Ruben Amorim states.

Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have been "the finish" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Despite he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.

Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.

"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.

"We were trying to build an style. Currently is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.

"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.

"When the press discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.

"When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to adapt.

"This will help us develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."

Injury Challenges Persist

Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.

He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.

That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.

"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."

The Captain's Influence Endures

However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.

"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.

"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."

Recovery Timeline for Injured Players

While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.